Tyson Foods beefing up its Cherokee plant

CHEROKEE, IOWA — Tyson Foods Inc. is in the process of adding slicing lines and jobs at its Cherokee, Iowa, plant.

"We’re adding some deli meat slicing lines and other equipment to help us slice and package more products," company spokesman Gary Mickelson told MEATPOULTRY.com. "Cherokee is one of three Tyson facilities taking on production previously handled by our Ponca City, Okla. plant, which is closing this summer."

Mr. Mickelson said the increase in production at Cherokee will take place over the next couple of months and is currently expected to result in the addition of up to 100 jobs. This includes production jobs as well as a small number of management positions, he added.

"We’ve already started hiring people for the additional positions (about 65 have been hired so far) and expect to continue to hire more people as we ramp up production this summer," Mr. Mickelson said.

The added jobs will bring total employment at the Cherokee plant up to more than 600 people.